What Would You Do if You Only had 20 Minutes to Live? Yesterday Hawaii had a scare.
Their emergency alert system sent a message to everyone’s cell phone: “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.” They thought they had about 20 minutes.
I read about a man who got in the bathtub with his family and prayed. There were others that had gotten in touch with their immediate families. They did so to tell them where the important papers were thinking it was the end for themselves. And yet some were more excited about getting to spend their last minutes (they thought) with a legend of basketball. They spent it with Magic Johnson in a fallout shelter. Well, a few minutes later. It was revealed that an employee had hit the wrong button and it was a false alarm.
What would you do if you only had 20 minutes to live?
Would you call on the name of God? Or would you ask for forgiveness of your sins? Would you even entertain the idea of talking to God? Hopefully, you would contact your loved ones? Or would you just drink a Coke?
It’s a shame. That it would take us knowing we only had 20 minutes left to live. To finally have a talk with God. And try and get right with him, but I guess it’s better than not doing it at all. And just spend our last minutes with a superstar basketball player.
“Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
For Christians, praying is supposed to be like breathing, it’s supposed to be easier to do than to not do. We pray for many reasons. For one thing, prayer is a form of serving God (Luke 2:36-38) and obeying Him. We pray because God commands us to pray (Philippians 4:6-7) If Jesus thought it was important enough to pray as he prayed a lot of praying. Then I am fairly certain we should be doing the same. If Jesus needed to pray to remain in the Father’s will. How much more do you think we need to pray?
What would you do if you only had 20 minutes to live?
I know I don’t pray enough but I have gotten better over the years. Once I faced a life or death situation a few years ago. I didn’t get scared because I knew where I would end up. If I knew I had 20 minutes left to live. I most certainly would call my family and tell them goodbye. And then spend the remaining time talking with God. I would be asking him to get my place ready because I was on my way home.
Copyright © 2018 Paul Cox Writer All rights reserved
Keep your faith, Paul. It makes you strong. This is a thoughtful post. Thanks.
Thank you wheatypete for reading and commenting!